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Help for Cat Cleaning
Cats are fairly clean creatures that are rather particular about their daily grooming habits. However, even the most diligent groomers can become especially dirty, oily or matted and may need a little extra cleaning help. Some breeds, particularly long haired breeds require regular brushing, bathing and face washing to keep them looking and feeling clean and fresh.
Cat bathing is not always easy and so it’s something you should get your cat used to from a young age. Follow the below steps to make cleaning your cat quick, simple and painless as possible for the both of you:
Step 1: Prepare the bathing area. Fill the basin or laundry tub with warm water that is comfortable for your cat and place a bath mat or towel at the bottom of this so that your cat doesn’t slip. Make sure you have a suitable cat shampoo at hand, as well as two dry towels for afterwards.
Step 2: Prepare your cat. Start the process by trimming the tips of your cat’s claws. This is an important aspect of cat grooming and it will reduce the chances of scratches during bath-time. Next, brush your cat as any knots present will be more difficult to remove once the hair is wet. Once the grooming is done, place cotton balls in your cat’s ears so that water can’t enter, and if possible apply an ophthalmic ointment to protect your cat’s eyes from the shampoo.
Step 3: Place your cat in the water and wet the fur thoroughly. Massage the shampoo into the fur making sure it goes right to the roots of the hair. Be careful when washing your cat’s face or head and never pour water over the head. Rather clean these areas using a face cloth and a little bit of shampoo (being careful around the eyes). Rinse the cat well, making sure you pay attention to the groin area and armpits.
Step 4: Squeeze as much of the excess water off the cat before wrapping him in a dry towel. Rub the fur dry as much as possible and when the towel becomes saturated, use the second dry towel. Continue to rub the fur against the grain from tail to head until the cat is mostly dry. This will prevent foul smelling fur. Most cats will groom themselves and dry naturally from here on, but make sure they’re in a draft free area. It also helps to brush the cat as the fur dries to help remove knots and tangles.
Step 5: Your cat is now clean, but more than likely unimpressed. Consider a peace-offering or tasty treat as a reward so that bath times can be associated with a pleasant ending.
Natural Remedies
When bathing your cat it is important to use a cat shampoo that is natural and free of harsh chemicals and artificial perfumes. There are various herbal ingredients that can help making your cat’s bath a pleasant and healthy experience. One beneficial cleaning herb is catnip.
This herb is often a firm favorite with cats and its sedative and calmative effects help to reduce the anxiety of bath times. In addition, catnip has excellent insect repellent properties and has been known to kill certain insect larvae. Chamomile is another beneficial bath-time herb which has strong calming properties and works well to promote healthy skin.
Cleavers is also excellent cleansing herb which also helps to reduce dandruff or scaly skin and promote healthy skin and coat. Lastly, nettle can be used to encourage healthy skin and hair and its soothing properties make it excellent for soothing insect bites or skin irritations.
